Argentina and Germany look to ghosts of World Cups past

As old foes Argentina and Germany encounter each other in a final for the third time in World Cup history, we take a look into the archives and dust the cobwebs off their previous clashes.

Many will remember Mexico ’86 as the World Cup of Diego Maradona, and with concerns about infrastructure and oppressive heat in the build-up to those finals, there are many parallels with the current tournament in Brazil.

Not least the focus and buzz surrounding one Argentine superstar, diminutive yet dazzling. In 1986, as now, the South American side were reliant upon a tenacious talisman.

For England fans, Mexico ’86 will be recalled solely for that infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal from Maradona, and the honourable Sir Bobby Robson’s crumpled, defeated face on the sidelines. For La Albiceleste supporters, the iconic image of their controversial captain lifting the trophy against West Germany, has yet to be bettered.

After starring at the tournament in the lead up to the final, with his stout brilliance inspiring La Albiceleste past England and Belgium, influential Argentine Maradona was significantly more subdued when gunning for global glory.

La Albiceleste had dominated and were deserving of their 2-0 lead, with goals from Jose Brown and Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano, until West Germany boss, Franz Beckenbauer, made two game- changing substitutions.

Rudi Voller, who would eventually, albeit temporarily, level the game in the 81st minute, came on for Klaus Alloffs after half-time, and Dieter Hoeness, brother of Uli, was exchanged for current Fulham coach Felix Magath.

Hoeness’ introduction caused Argentina problems, with the 6 ft 2 inch forward disrupting the defence. Within 12 minutes, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had pulled one back, and Seven minutes later, West Germany had done the unthinkable, as Voller nodded home from a corner.

The impetus was with the Europeans, who bombed forward, leaving themselves fatally vulnerable to Maradona’s genius on the counter-attack. Playing Jorge Burruchaga through on goal with a delightfully defence-splitting pass, Argentina’s superstar was for once the supporting act in a moment of glory.

After Pablo Zabaleta essentially admitted the current day Argentina’s tactics are simply to give the ball to Lionel Messi, the maestro, who is also captaining his nation, seems fated to repeat history.